One Denver restaurant casualty of the pandemic will come back to life this summer, but with new owners and a new location just southeast of the original.
Zaidy’s, the Jewish deli that closed in October after three decades in Cherry Creek, should reopen in late June at 600 S. Holly St.
New owner Beth Ginsberg bought the business from its longtime family owners Gerard and Jason Rudofsky, and she plans to revamp the menu slightly while preserving much of Zaidy’s history and tradition.
Her connection to Zaidy’s started when she was the owner of the Bagel Store and supplied bagels to the deli, Ginsberg said. In the early 2000s, she even opened her own bagel business while living abroad in Singapore.
“Were they New York bagels? Not even close!” Ginsberg laughed of her first foray into the bagel business after years working as a medical device engineer.
But she learned the craft from John Hill, then-owner of Denver’s Bagel Store, and was able to take over that business upon moving back to Colorado. (Ginsberg then sold the Bagel Store in 2017 to Rosenberg’s.)
Now she owns Trompeau Bakery on South Broadway and is looking forward to using that kitchen to create the pastries — black and white cookies, rugelach — while creating a bagel and breads program at the new Zaidy’s Deli and Bakery on Holly Street.
“We’re not kosher, but you know, we’re trying to stay true to our community’s roots,” Ginsberg said.
Breakfast won’t stray too far from the original Zaidy’s, while lunch will offer build-your-own sandwiches with a selection of meats and breads, and preparations like the Reuben or “Zaidy’s way,” featuring a house blend of sauces and seasonings.
The new Zaidy’s will open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, though a Friday night dinner service or something similar could be in the works. And customers will be able to stop by the deli case throughout the day for bagels by the dozen, smoked salmon and meats.
Ginsberg has partnered with other local father-and-son businessmen, Max and Joel Appel, to reopen the restaurant. The team last week started construction on their new space — formerly Ambli — and they expect to be done by late June.
And while the Rudofsky family are no longer business partners, Ginsberg expects Gerard to be very involved in his restaurant for years to come.
“He’ll be there every day,” she said.
